The Progressive Era Dialogue Setting: The White House Characters: Woodrow Wilson- Krystian Jane Addams- Mitzie
Susan B. Anthony- Kirsten Herbert Spencer- Sarah Date: March 17, 1919
(Woodrow Wilson is sitting in his office, a meeting has been set up to discuss the various reforms or ideas of the Progressive Era. Wilson has requested a Progressive from each reform movement to discuss their cause. Jane Addams, Susan B. Anthony, and Herbert Spencer arrive by time travel to the White House and greet the President.) Woodrow Wilson: Welcome to the White House everyone; I hope the trip was not too bad. Let me start off with the reason for this meeting. I have called all of you here to discuss different policies which will help our country. Ms. Addams, would you like to begin? Jane Addams: Yes, thank you Mr. President. The need for better living conditions for the immigrants and the working class can no longer be ignored. I can only to do so much with at Hull House settlement home, we need the support of the government as well, to help pass legislation that will enforce better the condition of tenements. Herbert Spencer: No, no, no. Mr. President, you cannot allow the government to interfere with such trivial matters. You need to let society evolve on its own you must have heard my phrase “survival of the fittest” (6)by now it’s time to actually adapt that philosophy. You all should read The Principals of Sociology and become more aware of my view of the government. Susan B. Anthony: Forget the immigrants; let’s talk about Americans, since we live in America. I propose that we allow women the right to vote. I mean, the Fourteenth Amendment gives all citizens suffrage. Why does this not apply to the female gender? Woodrow Wilson: Ladies and gentlemen please, one at a time. Ms. Addams, while I find the lives of our immigrants important, the topic is not as prevalent at this time. However, I do find Ms. Anthony’s talk of suffrage to be worth discussing. As I have mentioned in my speech to the senate in 1918, I believe “the constitutional amendment proposing the extension of the suffrage to women as vitally essential to the successful prosecution of the great war of humanity in which we are engaged.” (5) Jane Addams: Mr. President, The Hull House is not only a beneficiary to the immigrants, but it also a place for women to better themselves by getting an education. With the rapid industrialism and increase of immigration, i feel that it is the government’s responsibility to involve itself in the betterment of society. Herbert Spencer: That’s ridiculous, the government is supposed to stay in its uninterrupted laissez faire capitalism state and not get involved and help in the betterment of society. Have none of you read any of my works? That needs to change Jane Addams: Well you cannot honestly believe that! “The very multifariousness and complexity of a city government demand the help of mind accustomed to detail and variety of work, to a sense of obligation for the health and welfare of young children and to a responsibility for the cleanliness and comfort of other people”.(3) Herbert Spencer: Ms. Addams try to understand that “The well-being of existing humanity and the unfolding of it into this ultimate perfection are both secured by that same beneficent, though severe, discipline to which animate creation at large is subject: a discipline which is pitiless in the working out of good: a felicity-pursuing law which never swerves for the avoidance of partial and temporary suffering. the poverty of the incapable, the distresses that come upon the imprudent, the starvation of the idle, and those shouldering aside of the weak by the strong, which leaves so many 'in shallows and in miseries,' are the decrees of a large, far-seeing benevolence”(7) Jane Addams: Well maybe that is true for some other society, but that could never work for us. People are not just going to stand back, without a fight. It’s hard for immigrants to assimilate, especially if they’re not even wanted. With no money or jobs, they can only get noticed by starting mobs and destroying railroads. Woodrow Wilson: Alright I understand where both of you are coming from. Spencer your ideas will only benefit a certain class. Progressivism is the route we need to take. Ms. Anthony what are the matters concerning you and your cause/movement? Susan B. Anthony: We really need to get down to the matter of women and their own rights. Why should a person be allowed to vote based on their gender? It just doesn’t make any sense. “My natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored. Robbed of the fundamental privilege of citizenship, I am degraded from the status of a citizen to that of a subject; and not only myself individually, but all of my sex is (8).” Just because i am a female doesn’t mean that I should have different rights than other humans. Jane Addams: I agree that women do play a large role in society, and should have the right to vote. Women have the power to educate themselves, which is why I’ve set up a women’s boarding home at Hull House as well and we also offer college courses to them. So in all women’s suffrage is also an important reform movement as well, so I can relate in that sense. Susan B. Anthony: Exactly so. It just makes more sense for women to be able to add to society and give their opinions. It’s the same thing for African Americans. We are all people which is why I helped to create the Women's National Loyal League that would help to outlaw slavery. We should all be able to have equal rights in the community. If you read my paper, “The Revolution,” everyone would see that women really do have good ideas that could be used. Herbert Spencer: Reform movements do not need to involve the government in society. If you would adopt the Social Darwinist view your lives would be much easier. Susan B. Anthony: Listen, women should not be overlooked. There are groups in the society that are created by women and many important ideas that are all thought of by women. I was the head of a girls’ department, and it allowed me to voice my opinion and make a change in people’s lives. I think that if more women had this opportunity, then it would only lead to better changes in society. Woodrow Wilson: The current state of our society can exist without women’s right to vote, although, I am not saying that it is not a possibility for the future. My main concern is the tariffs, banking, and trusts. I have gone to Congress to discuss the passing of the Underwood Tariff. Monopolies also need to be broken up, and needs regulated. Unions should be allowed to protect workers as well. I think I may have to come up with a plan to strengthen the Sherman- Anti Trust Act, for this to be taken seriously. Susan B. Anthony: But women’s rights to vote should be something that needs to be changed now. We have been working too hard towards this, it really should not put aside any longer. We’ve put in way too much to not have it make a difference. All of the efforts made for this cause are way too important to just make a difference later on, they should be changed now. Herbert Spencer: Whatever happened to my ideas? They seemed to be scrapped! Laissez faire capitalism worked before, why must the government get involved? It will only cause problems. Jane Addams: This laissez faire capitalism is causing too much of a gap between the very rich and the very poor. I’ve actually written a book about this exact problem. In my book, Democracy and Social Ethics, this is discussed; the only way to preserve democracy is to “... recognize and acknowledge the validity of social obligation”.(3)
Herbert Spencer: No, Ms Addams, listen to me! The point of “survival of the fittest”... Susan B. Anthony: Excuse me, Mr. Spencer, I don’t mean to cut you off, but I really don’t think you all understand how important a role woman’s suffrage is. What if women and men were able to make the same amount of money? Then maybe we could change that gap between the rich and the poor. Women would be more motivated to try and get those jobs, which would help labor. Just think about.....
(Spencer, Addams and Anthony have time traveled back, and Wilson is left sitting in his office alone) Woodrow Wilson: Whoaaa, what just happened?! Ms. Anthony? Mr. Spencer? Ms. Addams? Where has everyone gone? Oh no, the machine is steaming! They’re all gone! Works Cited Jane Addams 1. "Speeches Before the National American Woman Suffrage Association Conventions, 1903–1906." American Decades Primary Sources. Ed. Cynthia Rose. Vol. 1: 1900-1909. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 273-277. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. 2. Neumann, Caryn E. "Addams, Jane (1860-1935)." Sharpe - Online Reference | Homepage. 2011. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sharpe-online.com/SOLR/a/show-content/fullarticle/4/book004-PART-article6>. 3. "Addams, Jane (1860-1935)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Discovering Collection. Gale. Newington School District. 16 Mar. 2011 <http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=DC&docId=EJ2102100017&source=gale&srcprod=DISC&userGroupName=s0940&version=1.0>. Woodrow Wilson 4. Newman, John J., and John M. Schmalbach. United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination. New York, NY: Amsco School Publications, 2006. Print. 5. "Woodrow Wilson: Address Supporting Women's Suffrage Amendment, 30 Sept. 1918." Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library: Learn at the Library: ELibrary. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://wwl2.dataformat.com/HTML/30740.htm>. Herbert Spencer 6. "American Experience . The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie . People & Events | Herbert Spencer | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. 1999. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande03.html>. 7. Spencer, Herbert. "Online Library of Liberty - Social Statics." Online Library of Liberty - Front Page. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php?title=273&layout=html>. "Spencer, Herbert [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 22 Oct. 2004. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/spencer/>. Susan B. Anthony 8. "Susan B. Anthony." Federal Judicial Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.fjc.gov/history/anthony.nsf/autoframe?openform&header=/history/anthony.nsf/page/header&nav=/history/anthony.nsf/page/nav_documents&content=/history/anthony.nsf/page/courtremarks>.
The Progressive Era Dialogue
Setting: The White House
Characters: Woodrow Wilson- Krystian
Jane Addams- Mitzie
Susan B. Anthony- Kirsten
Herbert Spencer- Sarah
Date: March 17, 1919
(Woodrow Wilson is sitting in his office, a meeting has been set up to discuss the various reforms or ideas of the Progressive Era. Wilson has requested a Progressive from each reform movement to discuss their cause. Jane Addams, Susan B. Anthony, and Herbert Spencer arrive by time travel to the White House and greet the President.)
Woodrow Wilson: Welcome to the White House everyone; I hope the trip was not too bad. Let me start off with the reason for this meeting. I have called all of you here to discuss different policies which will help our country. Ms. Addams, would you like to begin?
Jane Addams: Yes, thank you Mr. President. The need for better living conditions for the immigrants and the working class can no longer be ignored. I can only to do so much with at Hull House settlement home, we need the support of the government as well, to help pass legislation that will enforce better the condition of tenements.
Herbert Spencer: No, no, no. Mr. President, you cannot allow the government to interfere with such trivial matters. You need to let society evolve on its own you must have heard my phrase “survival of the fittest” (6)by now it’s time to actually adapt that philosophy. You all should read The Principals of Sociology and become more aware of my view of the government.
Susan B. Anthony: Forget the immigrants; let’s talk about Americans, since we live in America. I propose that we allow women the right to vote. I mean, the Fourteenth Amendment gives all citizens suffrage. Why does this not apply to the female gender?
Woodrow Wilson: Ladies and gentlemen please, one at a time. Ms. Addams, while I find the lives of our immigrants important, the topic is not as prevalent at this time. However, I do find Ms. Anthony’s talk of suffrage to be worth discussing. As I have mentioned in my speech to the senate in 1918, I believe “the constitutional amendment proposing the extension of the suffrage to women as vitally essential to the successful prosecution of the great war of humanity in which we are engaged.” (5)
Jane Addams: Mr. President, The Hull House is not only a beneficiary to the immigrants, but it also a place for women to better themselves by getting an education. With the rapid industrialism and increase of immigration, i feel that it is the government’s responsibility to involve itself in the betterment of society.
Herbert Spencer: That’s ridiculous, the government is supposed to stay in its uninterrupted laissez faire capitalism state and not get involved and help in the betterment of society. Have none of you read any of my works? That needs to change
Jane Addams: Well you cannot honestly believe that! “The very multifariousness and complexity of a city government demand the help of mind accustomed to detail and variety of work, to a sense of obligation for the health and welfare of young children and to a responsibility for the cleanliness and comfort of other people”.(3)
Herbert Spencer: Ms. Addams try to understand that “The well-being of existing humanity and the unfolding of it into this ultimate perfection are both secured by that same beneficent, though severe, discipline to which animate creation at large is subject: a discipline which is pitiless in the working out of good: a felicity-pursuing law which never swerves for the avoidance of partial and temporary suffering. the poverty of the incapable, the distresses that come upon the imprudent, the starvation of the idle, and those shouldering aside of the weak by the strong, which leaves so many 'in shallows and in miseries,' are the decrees of a large, far-seeing benevolence”(7)
Jane Addams: Well maybe that is true for some other society, but that could never work for us. People are not just going to stand back, without a fight. It’s hard for immigrants to assimilate, especially if they’re not even wanted. With no money or jobs, they can only get noticed by starting mobs and destroying railroads.
Woodrow Wilson: Alright I understand where both of you are coming from. Spencer your ideas will only benefit a certain class. Progressivism is the route we need to take. Ms. Anthony what are the matters concerning you and your cause/movement?
Susan B. Anthony: We really need to get down to the matter of women and their own rights. Why should a person be allowed to vote based on their gender? It just doesn’t make any sense. “My natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored. Robbed of the fundamental privilege of citizenship, I am degraded from the status of a citizen to that of a subject; and not only myself individually, but all of my sex is (8).” Just because i am a female doesn’t mean that I should have different rights than other humans.
Jane Addams: I agree that women do play a large role in society, and should have the right to vote. Women have the power to educate themselves, which is why I’ve set up a women’s boarding home at Hull House as well and we also offer college courses to them. So in all women’s suffrage is also an important reform movement as well, so I can relate in that sense.
Susan B. Anthony: Exactly so. It just makes more sense for women to be able to add to society and give their opinions. It’s the same thing for African Americans. We are all people which is why I helped to create the Women's National Loyal League that would help to outlaw slavery. We should all be able to have equal rights in the community. If you read my paper, “The Revolution,” everyone would see that women really do have good ideas that could be used.
Herbert Spencer: Reform movements do not need to involve the government in society. If you would adopt the Social Darwinist view your lives would be much easier.
Susan B. Anthony: Listen, women should not be overlooked. There are groups in the society that are created by women and many important ideas that are all thought of by women. I was the head of a girls’ department, and it allowed me to voice my opinion and make a change in people’s lives. I think that if more women had this opportunity, then it would only lead to better changes in society.
Woodrow Wilson: The current state of our society can exist without women’s right to vote, although, I am not saying that it is not a possibility for the future. My main concern is the tariffs, banking, and trusts. I have gone to Congress to discuss the passing of the Underwood Tariff. Monopolies also need to be broken up, and needs regulated. Unions should be allowed to protect workers as well. I think I may have to come up with a plan to strengthen the Sherman- Anti Trust Act, for this to be taken seriously.
Susan B. Anthony: But women’s rights to vote should be something that needs to be changed now. We have been working too hard towards this, it really should not put aside any longer. We’ve put in way too much to not have it make a difference. All of the efforts made for this cause are way too important to just make a difference later on, they should be changed now.
Herbert Spencer: Whatever happened to my ideas? They seemed to be scrapped! Laissez faire capitalism worked before, why must the government get involved? It will only cause problems.
Jane Addams: This laissez faire capitalism is causing too much of a gap between the very rich and the very poor. I’ve actually written a book about this exact problem. In my book, Democracy and Social Ethics, this is discussed; the only way to preserve democracy is to “... recognize and acknowledge the validity of social obligation”.(3)
Herbert Spencer: No, Ms Addams, listen to me! The point of “survival of the fittest”...
Susan B. Anthony: Excuse me, Mr. Spencer, I don’t mean to cut you off, but I really don’t think you all understand how important a role woman’s suffrage is. What if women and men were able to make the same amount of money? Then maybe we could change that gap between the rich and the poor. Women would be more motivated to try and get those jobs, which would help labor. Just think about.....
(Spencer, Addams and Anthony have time traveled back, and Wilson is left sitting in his office alone)
Woodrow Wilson: Whoaaa, what just happened?! Ms. Anthony? Mr. Spencer? Ms. Addams? Where has everyone gone? Oh no, the machine is steaming! They’re all gone!
Works Cited
Jane Addams
1. "Speeches Before the National American Woman Suffrage Association Conventions, 1903–1906." American Decades Primary Sources. Ed. Cynthia Rose. Vol. 1: 1900-1909. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 273-277. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 16 Mar. 2011.
2. Neumann, Caryn E. "Addams, Jane (1860-1935)." Sharpe - Online Reference | Homepage. 2011. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sharpe-online.com/SOLR/a/show-content/fullarticle/4/book004-PART-article6>.
3. "Addams, Jane (1860-1935)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Discovering Collection. Gale. Newington School District. 16 Mar. 2011 <http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=DC&docId=EJ2102100017&source=gale&srcprod=DISC&userGroupName=s0940&version=1.0>.
Woodrow Wilson
4. Newman, John J., and John M. Schmalbach. United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination. New York, NY: Amsco School Publications, 2006. Print.
5. "Woodrow Wilson: Address Supporting Women's Suffrage Amendment, 30 Sept. 1918." Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library: Learn at the Library: ELibrary. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://wwl2.dataformat.com/HTML/30740.htm>.
Herbert Spencer
6. "American Experience . The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie . People & Events | Herbert Spencer | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. 1999. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande03.html>.
7. Spencer, Herbert. "Online Library of Liberty - Social Statics." Online Library of Liberty - Front Page. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php?title=273&layout=html>.
"Spencer, Herbert [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 22 Oct. 2004. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/spencer/>.
Susan B. Anthony
8. "Susan B. Anthony." Federal Judicial Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.fjc.gov/history/anthony.nsf/autoframe?openform&header=/history/anthony.nsf/page/header&nav=/history/anthony.nsf/page/nav_documents&content=/history/anthony.nsf/page/courtremarks>.